MEXICO: TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MEXICO 005891 SIPDIS SIPDIS G/TIP -- BARBARA FLECK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELAB KCRM KWMN MX PGOV PHUM PREL SUBJECT: MEXICO: TIP INTERIM ASSESSMENT REF: STATE 148925 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. The Government of Mexico (GOM) has shown significant and substantive progress in addressing its deficiencies in combating trafficking in persons (TIP) since the release of the June 2007 TIP Report, in particular by enacting comprehensive federal anti-TIP legislation to criminalize and punish all severe forms of TIP. Meanwhile, it has opened several new cases against traffickers and has developed plans to engage more government agencies in a coordinated effort to assist and protect victims. With the adoption of the new anti-TIP law, the GOM is looking at expanding the resources it dedicates to combating trafficking and creating a special unit in the Attorney General's Office to prosecute trafficking cases. END SUMMARY. Anti-Trafficking Legislation -------------- ¶2. (U) On March 27, Mexico enacted a federal law against the Sexual Exploitation of Children, which includes sanctions for the corruption of minors. On October 31, President Calderon signed into law Mexico's new federal anti-trafficking legislation (unanimously approved and ratified by the Senate on October 2). The law not only criminalizes trafficking in persons, as defined by international treaties signed and ratified by Mexico, but also underscores the need to establish specialized shelters that can protect, assist, and provide comprehensive services to trafficking victims. Separately, Tlaxcala joined four other states (Michoacan, Chihuahua, Guerrero, and Zacatecas) in adopting anti-TIP legislation at the state level. GoM Opens New Trafficking Cases -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Since June, the GOM has reported making arrests in connection to three new TIP cases. The GOM reportedly made new arrests in the Divas case that it opened originally in early 2007. It also provided USG authorities with information contributing to arrests made in connection to a TIP case in South Carolina. All told, Mexican authorities have arrested at least six individuals in connection to alleged federal trafficking cases since June. Meanwhile, the state of Chihuahua has produced seven indictments against alleged traffickers this year. Separately, the GOM has conducted several rescues of potential trafficking victims in cases where there was insufficient evidence to initiate a formal investigation/prosecution. 
 Information Collection -------------- ¶4. (U) The GOM-USG bilateral law enforcement cooperation is working well, resulting in effective collaborative investigations. In 2005, Mexico's Foreign Affairs Secretariat created a working group focused on TIP. Over the last three months, this group has considered next steps once the TIP law passed Congress, including the creation of two sub-groups dedicated to social and legal issues respectively. The legal sub-group will be dedicated to prosecuting and convicting traffickers. In addition, INM has expanded its efforts to collect information on foreigners involved in trafficking either as victims or traffickers with a particular focus on Central Americans. The Attorney General's office relies on a database to track TIP cases at both the federal and local level and is looking at developing a single unit to prosecute TIP cases. Protection Services -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The sub-group working on social issues noted above will focus on providing services to victims including witness protection. The SRE has also created a toll free hotline for trafficking victims to call. The budget to support the federal law is expected to be drawn from the budgets of INM, PGR, and SSP. By November, INM reported that it had issued six humanitarian visas to allow trafficking victims to remain in Mexico pending investigations into their cases. With the adoption of the Mexico's new TIP law, a national commission for trafficking in persons will replace the exiting interagency committee presently led by SRE. This commission will have the authority to request additional funds to support the law and implement a national program to prevent trafficking and protect victims. To date, the GOM has expended significantly expanded resources to train prosecutors, judges, immigration officials, and police in anticipation of the new law's adoption and implementation. As of November 2007, USAID and Mexico have collaborated in assisting 245 TIP victims with medical, legal, psychological MEXICO 00005891 002 OF 002 support and shelter. Victim Identification -------------- ¶6. (U) Mexican immigration (INM) officials regularly interview migrants -- generally from Central America -- detained in migrant detention centers to ascertain if they have been the victims of trafficking. Mexico's National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) maintains offices on location at the migrant detention centers for the purpose of monitoring treatment of all migrants and assuring that victims of trafficking enjoy special protections. The Mexican Government has an established a Memorandum of Understanding with Guatemala providing for the protection of victims of trafficking with particular attention to women and children. Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity and the North American Partnership Blog at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap / GARZA